I feel. Therefore I am.

Cogito, ergo sum—I think, therefore I am. (René Descartes)

We become what we think. We are what we think. Each statement is rooted in logic. There’s no denying the fact that we’re constantly thinking. 

Thoughts are fluid. They come, they go—some barely noticed, others lingering just long enough to spark a new thought. When we obsess, we hold on to certain thoughts and replay them over and over: worry, regret, excitement. And only we hold the power to give them weight and permanence. Thoughts that stay eventually shape and define us. 

Today, I’d like to step away from the mind and talk about the heart. I feel, therefore I am. This statement isn’t grounded in logic or reason; it doesn’t try to prove anything. 

Feelings are less about understanding and more about experiencing. Feelings are raw, immediate, unfiltered. They don’t require any explanation. They just are. When we feel, we’re not just observing life—we’re living it. Whether it’s joy or sadness, hope or heartbreak, awe or anger, feelings pull us into the present in a way that thought cannot. 

Thinking questions. Feeling connects. Thought seeks answers. Feeling seeks meaning. And within meaning, there is richness of purpose. It’s not just about existing; it’s about truly being.

But, does feeling alone define existence? If so, where does that leave those who feel less—or feel differently? What about someone emotionally numb, struggling with mental health? Or someone who doesn’t feel empathy in the way we expect? Are they any less alive? The truth is, existence doesn’t depend on whether we feel deeply or rarely. It’s more complex than that.

Can we even separate thoughts and feelings? Many feelings start in the mind—a memory that makes us cry, a thought that sparks anger, an idea that fills us with hope. Thought shapes feeling, just as feeling shapes thought. They’re tangled together in a way that makes it hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.

Feelings are powerful. They shape how we act, how we connect, and how we experience life. But they’re not always reliable. Learning to control them is important. It’s not about learning to shut them down, but rather learning to guide them in a way that serves us. Anger, if left unchecked, can lead to actions we regret. Joy can blind us to risk. Sadness can trap us in dark places. Feelings are good, but they can mislead us, overwhelm us, and even paralyze us.

Still, feelings are the colour of life. They don’t just help us connect to others—they connect us to ourselves. They remind us that we’re more than just minds in bodies. We’re whole beings—thinking, feeling, experiencing, struggling, and growing.

For those of us born with empathy, who feel the world’s weight as if it’s our own—yes, it can be exhausting. It can hurt. Sometimes it becomes too much. But that same empathy is a superpower. It’s what helps us understand people when no one else does. It’s what drives us to make the world softer, kinder, better.

Rather than saying feelings define existence, we should say feelings enrich existence. Our feelings allow us to leave ripples in the lives of everyone we touch.

To feel deeply is both a blessing and a burden, but it’s always a gift. If we learn to use our feelings well, we will not only live fully, but also light the way for others to do the same

The Muchness of Life

I love words. And today, I thought about one that no one really uses: muchness. By definition, it means greatness in quantity or degree.

For me, it means the depth and intensity that defies containment – the essence of being profoundly alive in any moment, whether in pain or joy.

I can't imagine there’s a single person on this gigantic blue ball who hasn’t, at one time or another, experienced muchness: the muchness of a mood, the muchness of a feeling, the muchness of an act, or the muchness of a person.

We know the muchness of a heavy heart – the overwhelming ache that pulls us deep within ourselves. And we know the muchness of joy – the kind that bursts forth, lifting us beyond ourselves. Both remind us that we’re fully, deeply alive.

Let’s embrace the muchness in our lives. When it’s negative, minimize it by focusing on the muchness of what’s positive. Let us always dare to feel, express, and live in all our muchness!

The Bare Necessities ... of Change

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said that change is the only constant in life. I had never really paused to think about this until recently, when I saw a post on Facebook about different laws in life. The Law of Impermanence caught my attention. While I’ve always recognized that change is present and often necessary, I never viewed it as a fundamental law of life.

Like many of us, I tend to resist change. I find comfort in the familiar and safety in the predictable. I prefer things to stay the same, but life often nudges – or sometimes shoves – us out of our comfort zones. I’ve lived a life of continuous change, moving from town to town, house to house, school to school, and job to job. The only constant in my life was my marriage and my family. Facing change forces us to look at life differently and to accept that nothing stays the same forever.

Change is necessary because it teaches us resilience. It’s during the times when life shifts – sometimes gently and sometimes dramatically – that we discover our strength. We learn to adapt, to bend without breaking, and to keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles arise. These experiences help us grow, both as individuals and as humans who are connected to others through shared experiences.

I remember when my friend’s sister died unexpectedly. I had no idea what she was going through because I hadn’t experienced a loss for many years. Then, a few years later, my brother died suddenly, shocking me to my core. I kept recalling my friend’s suffering, and just knowing that I wasn’t alone – that others also lose loved ones unexpectedly – helped me stay grounded.

While loss is hard, like any change we experience, it can also bring opportunities for gratitude. Understanding that everything is temporary should make us more appreciative of the present moment. It’s the little things, like savouring a quiet morning with a cup of coffee or the smile of a loved one, that truly matters. Each moment, each experience is a gift, and the Law of Impermanence reminds us not to take them for granted.

Of course, gratitude doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and personal experiences of loss and change. But once we learn to carry gratitude with us every day, knowing that nothing lasts forever, we find peace in that knowledge.

Impermanence is also a catalyst for growth. Change pushes us to become better versions of ourselves. The challenges, surprises, and unexpected turns all shape who we become. While it seems better or easier to resist change and cling to what we know, change helps us to open ourselves to the flow of life and grow in unexpected ways. Every change, every experience is an opportunity to learn, evolve, and become more than we were before.

There’s a spiritual dimension to impermanence that I’ve come to appreciate over time. When we recognize that everything in the material world is transient, we naturally seek something deeper and more eternal. For me, this has meant exploring my spiritual side and finding meaning and purpose beyond the everyday. It has helped me to focus on what truly matters. Whether it’s deepening spiritual practices, nurturing relationships, or simply being more present, the Law of Impermanence guides us toward a richer, more meaningful life aligned with our true selves.

I cling to the belief that we are all navigating the currents of change together. While our experiences may be similar – such as the loss of a loved one – we each face the effects of change in a unique way. When we encounter change or see others struggling through deep waters, it’s good to open our hearts. In doing so, we become more patient, empathetic, and willing to extend kindness not only to those around us, but also to ourselves. Our shared human experiences create connections, reminding us that we are never truly alone in our journeys.

Perhaps, like me, you find change difficult. I have no advice for you because I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy change. All I know is, the Law of Impermanence shouldn’t be seen as a force to fear, but as a guide that leads us toward growth, deeper understanding, and fulfillment. By focusing on this, we can face change in the future with a more positive mindset.